I had to retype that first paragraph about four times because I can't figure out the English grammar. I've had days this week where I'd be talking in English and realize I don't know a word anymore. My English is falling a lot faster than my Chinese is growing. But hey, we press on.
Speaking of Chinese, I had the unique opportunity this week to try translating. In meetings, we'll occasionally have a few English speakers in the room and someone has to translate. We sit behind them and just repeat whatever was said in the front of the room from Chinese into English. Our typical translators all went home in the last few transfers so lots of missionaries are starting to have the chance to help out. I did bits and pieces of our district meeting on Monday, and that was fine. But then at church, the stake president showed up and no one else spoke English in the room so I had to give it a go...yikes. Some of them speak fast. Anyway. We're growing. Slowly but surely.
Also, Taiwanese Chinese and Chinese Chinese are a teeny bit different. I learned the character for "land", pronounced "tu", and I asked Elder Liu if it was the same "tu" as in "tudou", which means potato. Long story short, I asked about peanuts instead, and this time it wasn't totally my fault. We're all over the place.
The work this last week was kinda tough, not going to lie. We dropped an investigator or two for a variety of reasons and are short on people to teach so we're on the street a lot. We had a few people run away from us - see, turn their tails and run as fast as they can in the opposite direction. It's hard. It breaks your heart to see these people you've come to love and trust and then they just give up on all they've earned so far. But we move on. Keep looking for those who are ready and invite everyone we meet to come unto Christ. There is no peace like He offers. Nothing in this world that compares, there's no question to it. The world offers temporary pleasure. The Savior has joy and families and the temple. Oh, come unto Him. If you don't know where to go, come to Him. Take up your cross and follow Him because there is no greater work in this world. Almost every other week I hear about someone else putting in their papers or going to the MTC and I get so excited. There is so much joy to be found. Let Him take your burdens. Let Him answer your questions. Let Him bring you together. He will help you become more than you could ever imagine.
There's my thought for the week. I try to have variety, but they all kinda come back to "trust in Christ and He'll take you all the way". But hey, it's fine, because it's a great message and it's true. He will take us all the way.
We were on the train the other day when two girls in their 20s got on the train. They were laughing and joking about what not, and then they kinda looked over at us. We were discussing our members, so were weren't really paying attention. I remember hearing one of them say, gesturing towards us, "Real ones", with a laugh. People know us in the city. They know the Mormons. We're a novelty. It's great fun. A pity the Chinese never saw the musical.
Anyway. That was our week. Looking forward to another great one. I miss you all and I'm proud of the great accomplishments I'm hearing about back home. Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing from you all soon!
Elder Blackhurst
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| Me and my sooooooon |
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